IRB Imposes Tax on Allowances

IRB Imposes Tax on Allowanceshttp://www.majorteoh.wordpress.com/

 Read today’s STAR – IRB Imposes Tax on Allowances.

What IRB is doing is trying to cast its net far and wide. It is trying to rope in the big. the tall, the short, and the midgets. They are using the tunda harimau. It is a desperate attempt to fill the government coffers to the brim.

In the Income Tax Act, one of the classes of income on which tax is chargeable, is income in respect of “gains or profits from an employment”.

I do not see how allowances paid to defray or reimburse expenses incurred by the employees for relocation, displacement and tranportation purposes could attract income tax. It is not earned income and as such it should not be taxed.

These reimbursements too are not paid to the employees arising out of their employment. Another feature to note is that it is not a regular monthly payment and should not be construed as earned income.

If all these are allowed to be computed as “gains or profits from an employment”, not only is it going to be unfair, but also, going to push up the the percentage of the tax chargeable.

Just wondering.

Regards,

Major (Rtd) Teoh

Blogging under the sword of Damocles

Blogging under the sword of Damocles

Bloggers in Malaysia are now living under a defamation and libel sword of Damocles. Many are awaiting the outcome of this legal tussle, between two Malaysian bloggers and NSTP.

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar has rightly put it when he said, “Blogging on the internet is not immune from legal process. Like other publications on the internet if a blog publishes defamatory material the blogger responsible for the publication, and even the host of the blog, can be subjected to defamation proceedings.”

We are not demanding for a 007 James Bond type of license to defame and libel. All what we are asking is not stifle and impede the development of free speech.

We are asking for a little corner where we can have our say; a chance to debate on political issues and the right to dissent without any intimidation. Though some comments may be more than a bitter pill to swallow, it is should be tolerated.

The internet should be viewed as a huge soapbox like in Hyde Park where anybody can stand on it and say whatever they like without pain and hinderance from any quarter. Some of the things uttered are far from the truth; some literary gems and some are utter rubbish. All these should be taken with a pinch of the proverbial salt.

Therefore visiting the internet is like a visit to the speaker’s corner at Hyde Park where you have a choice to stay, to believe and lastly to leave. There is no question of compulsion, none of your feathers ruffled and, by the end of the day, no one is the wiser.

This is the approach that should be taken if we want our youths to think out of the box like what some of our politicians are advocating. We must give them this space to sharpen their oratory skills. How can they think out of the box when you coop them up in one.

Being a responsible corporate entity and one of the leading English newspapers in this region, NSTP should have ignored the whole episode. In fact it should be the champion for the advancement of free speech and not a hindrance to it.

NSTP should not “latar” each time someone “cuik” NSTP at its ribs.

Just sharing.

Regards,

Major (Rtd) Teoh

A Tribute to our Boys in Blue

A Tribute to our Boys in Blue

I like what Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee is doing. He owes no one a living. He carries out his work without fear or favour. He is clean and that is why he can take drastic actions against the criminals and crooks. He accepts no bribes, either directly or indirectly.He cannot be bought. These are the rare traits of an examplary leader. I too like the write up by Datuk Seri Yuen  Yuet Leng, in the Star yesterday. This is the greatest tribute a colleague in arms can give to another. It takes a man without any sin to cast the first stone and Datuk Christopher Wan is the first one to do so. Many in his position have come and gone but it takes a person with guts and courage to do what he is doing now.

The trouble with us is that we are suffering from the Elephant-in-the-room Syndrome where everybody will deny seeing it entering and leaving it after it has done some damage in the room. This is very rampant as manifested in the raids on gambling dens not far from a Police Station, the running and operations of an illegal Theme Park, the building of huge bungalows without approval, so on and so forth. All these point to our lackadaisical and laissez-faire attitude towards our work and responsibilities.

Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee has brought back luster  and shine to the image of the Police Force. The Police can now walk with their heads up in the air.

Regards,

Major (Rtd) Teoh

False MC’s

I am not at all against at the soft approach of the MB. I am not against sending flowers and fruit baskets.

I am merely asking why should he be talking about this when he should have been taking stiffer and stringent actions than this? It is rampant and it is getting out of control. He knows that the soft approach does not work so what is he going to do about it.?

The other point is why publish their names in newspapers? What is the rationale?

Why can’t disciplinary action, including dismissal be taken against these errant staff?

I will tell you why? Pity them! They will lose their pension. Kesian. Do not break their rice bowls.

If you breed a monster, then you will have to live it. If you sow a wild wind, you will reap a storm.

Just sharing.

Regards,

Major (Rtd) Teoh

NST: PSD to crack down on ‘missing’ civil servants

NST: PSD to crack down on ‘missing’ civil servants

What is the grand idea of publishing their names in the newspapers. I feel that this is all a waste of time and money.

There is something in the Employment Act 1955 for PSD to pattern after. Please see section 15 (2) of this Act.  Amongst other things it says:

Quote ” ……. (2) An employee shall be deemed to have broken his contract of service with the employer if he has been continuously absent from work for more than two consecutive working days without prior leave from his employer, unless he has a reasonable excuse for such absence and has informed or attempted to inform his employer of such excuse prior to or at the earliest opportunity during such absence.

……” unquote.

There is no necessity for PSD to trace them. Why should the “perigi” (well) go to the “timba” (pail)? It is sheer absurdity. Just issue a show cause letter to them at the last known address in your record. 

If there is no reply forth coming or if there is no just cause for their absence, just hold an inquiry and then proceed to dismiss them. The onus is on the staff to prove that he should continue to be employed. There are many Industrial Court cases on this subject for PSD to refer to.

In my opinion, it is most unfair to hold the public at ransom and PSD is not obliged to keep this post vacant for them till the end of time.

Again as usual I am bewildered why no such action is instituted on the errant staff? Can it be that all are corrupted, so corrupted that nobody dares to even lift a finger lest they are implicated too?

Just sharing.

Regards,

Major (Rtd) Teoh

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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Tuesday/National
/20070123092412/Article/local1_html

PSD to crack down on ‘missing’ civil servants
23 Jan 2007 Farrah Naz Karim

PUTRAJAYA: They skip work for days, causing hardship and inconvenience to
many, including their colleagues and the public.

These civil servants who go absent without leave (AWOL) are usually busy
with their side businesses, dealing with personal problems or simply unable
to work because they are high on drugs.

The Public Service Department has vowed to put a stop to the shenanigans.

Unlike before, when they were sent reminders and notices, the PSD will now
publish their names, positions and addresses in newspapers.

Failure to respond within seven days will result in automatic dismissal and
a loss of pension.

Snipped ……. snipped for space  ……..